Thirteen
Thirteen
Sitara POV
I looked at my father and took a deep breath. “I agree with this, Pa. I want this marriage between me and Sylvian.”
My father’s face lit up, and he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know he’s a good man. I’ve known him for a long time, even if you forgot about him. Remember that boy who saved you from drowning? That‘ s Sylvian. The one you always pushed away because he followed you around like a lost pup. He was shy back then, but now look at him.”
The memories hit me like a wave–those hazy moments from my childhood. Sylvian, the awkward boy who swore he’d marry me someday, even when I couldn’t stand him. I remember barking at him, telling him I didn’t like him. And now here we were, about to get married.
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Thirteen
Father handed my hand to Sylvian, and he took it gently. We stood there, facing each other. He was even more handsome than I remembered, and I couldn’t look away. He smiled at me, and there was something so sincere about it.
“You see, I’m marrying you, Sitara,” he said softly.
I couldn’t help but smile back. “Sylvian, really, you waited this long?”
He chuckled, and before I could say anything else, the sage cleared his throat, signaling the start of the ceremony.
But just as things were about to begin, a voice cut through the air. “Sitara, stop this wedding. You can’t marry him! You‘ re marrying me!”
I froze. Zach was sprinting toward us, looking disheveled and desperate. The crowd gasped. Two guards rushed in and tried to subdue him, but he fought them off, desperate to reach me.
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Thirteen
“Take him away!” Sylvian growled, his eyes locked on me, and his voice laced with danger. “Hurt him, but don’t kill him.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Sylvian’s unreadable expression as he looked at me. “Do you want this marriage to go on, Sitara? Or be with him.”
Zach’s cries reached my ears, but I refused to let them sway me. I nodded and smiled softly. “I want to marry you.”
Sylvian‘ s face lit up, and he nodded.
“Then let’s continue the wedding.”
Once the sage proclaimed us husband and wife, one of the council members handed us the bond papers. Sylvian cupped my hand, sealing the marriage with a kiss that felt like it was meant to be. The moment his lips touched mine, I felt our wolves intertwine, the bond sealing in a way I couldn’t explain but knew was right.
After the ceremony, we turned to leave, but I was stopped by the sight of Zach-
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Thirteen
bloodied, bruised, and struggling to stand.
One of the Dierkshiede warriors was holding him down, his pride shattered.
“Let him go,” Sylvian ordered coldly.
Zach looked up, eyes wild as he crawled toward me, calling my name. He looked so pitiful, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for him. He deserved this. I saw the box he was holding, the same one from before. He tried to smile through the pain.
“Sitara, the letter… it‘ s 500,” he panted, trying to push himself to his feet. He stumbled but kept reaching for me.
“We’ve known each other for ten years, and I kept my promise.” His voice cracked, and tears welled in his eyes.
I looked down at him with cold eyes. “Zach, you see? I’m married. I’m bonded to my chosen mate.”
His face crumpled. “Sitara, why does it have to end this way?” His eyes were full of confusion and despair. “Why?”
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Thirteen
“You chose her, Zach. It’s time for you to forget about me. Marry Hazel. Be happy. We can’t go back anymore,” I said, my voice steady, almost maternal. “A torn paper can never be put back together.”
I grabbed the box from his hands, ignoring his desperate attempts to take it back. With a swift motion, I tore the letters inside, right in front of him. His eyes widened in shock, the same hurt reflected in them that I once felt. The bond we had was gone, shattered.
“Zach, this will be the last time we cross paths,” I warned, my voice colder than ice. “If you trouble me again, I’ll let my husband handle it.”
I dropped the box on the ground, the remnants of our past scattering like dust. Zach reached for it as if it was his last
lifeline, but I turned away before I could
see more.
“Goodbye, Zach,” I said, and Sylvian took my hand, leading me away. We walked
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toward the pack hall as my heart finally at
peace.
Goodbye for the ten years between us.
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